Robert Crotchett

Robert Wayne Crotchett, 78, died at 12:57 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at his residence after a period of declining health.

He was born Aug. 1, 1931, in Rockbridge, one of seven children born to Arnold B. and Mabel Evelyn (Tucker) Crotchett.

Bob was raised in the Kane vicinity and graduated from the Kane High School.~ After serving his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he returned home and began working at Duncan Foundry for a short time.

He retired in 1982 from Laclede Steel in Alton where he had been employed as a supervisor in the Billet yard.

He married the former Gail Gilworth on July 1, 1955, at the Bethel Baptist Church in rural Jerseyville and they have shared 54 years together.

In his spare time, Bob enjoyed being outdoors, whether it was hunting or fishing. He enjoyed playing cards, and camping, with his favorite spot being Carlyle Lake.

After retirement, he also enjoyed spending the afternoons with his wife and friends at various locations in town, and was a member of the Elks Lodge and American Legion both of Jerseyville.

Surviving are his wife, Gail Crotchett of Jerseyville; three children and their spouses, Lisa and John Collins, Gerry and Barb Crotchett, and Karen and Paul Wock all of Jerseyville; four grandchildren, Torrie, and her husband, Gary Vanausdoll of Dow, Jennifer Collins and Laura Collins and Shelby Crotchett all of Jerseyville; a step grandson and his wife, Chris and Sarah Collins of Jerseyville; two great grandchildren; and three step great grandchildren; two sisters and a brother in law, Doris Darr of Kane, and Sandra and Gerald Goshorn of Jerseyville; two brothers and a sister in law, Raymond "Gene" Crotchett of Ocala, Fl., and Arnold and Dottie Crotchett of Savannah, Tn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, J.R. Crotchett, on Nov. 18, 2001: a sister, Marsha Crotchett; a brother, Richard Crotchett; a sister-in-law, Jane Crotchett; and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Darr.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

Father William Hembrow will officiate.

Burial will be in the Kane Cemetery with the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 conducting military graveside rites.